The two were arrested after they tried to pull a heist on foreigners involved in the mining business, at a junction along the National Highway in Brgy. Tuao North around 6:30 a.m.

According to Tabian, Chinese nationals Pan Ling Ming, Shu Teng, Filipino-Japanese Enrique Yamamoto, and Filipino-Chinese driver Robert Go were waiting for a tour guide who will bring them to Ifugao, when the motorcycle-riding hold up men arrived.

“They (foreigners) were outside their car so they were able to fight when the heist was declared, they ganged up on the suspects,” Tabian said in a phone interview.

“One of the muggers was wearing a helmet and cannot see his backside well, so he got struck in the head. Maybe he didn’t want to remove the helmet because he’s a former policeman,” Tabian said.

As the scuffle continued, Cacliong drew a gun and shot the leg of one of the Chinese nationals, whose companions quickly came to the rescue and snatched the firearm.

Members of the Bagabag Police eventually arrived and collared Cacliong and Dumageng. The Chinese national who got shot was brought to a hospital, but was allowed to leave after first aid as his leg was only grazed.

It was learned that Cacliong, a native of Ifugao, once served as the chief of police in a town in Isabela, and was dismissed in 2010 because of various cases.

“He (Cacliong) had many cases. When I was still the summary hearing officer of Region 2, he had several administrative and sexual harassment cases, where one of the victims was a fellow police personnel. When he was kicked out of the service, a murder charge also sprang up, he’s a real scalawag,” Tabian said.

Cacliong and Dumageng have already been charged with attempted robbery and frustrated homicide. Police are still verifying if the duo had also been involved in other incidents of robbery. (John Roson)